diff --git a/python/paddle/trainer/config_parser.py b/python/paddle/trainer/config_parser.py
index 0f7c601fe0d29dbda9c5ec4c1812704a51db31f4..83fda9f709223f0fbf9edd46a8b271ae9c6ae6c7 100644
--- a/python/paddle/trainer/config_parser.py
+++ b/python/paddle/trainer/config_parser.py
@@ -1584,6 +1584,13 @@ class PriorBoxLayer(LayerBase):
                  variance):
         super(PriorBoxLayer, self).__init__(name, 'priorbox', 0, inputs)
         config_assert(len(inputs) == 2, 'PriorBoxLayer must have 2 input')
+        input_layer = self.get_input_layer(1)
+        config_assert(
+            input_layer.type == 'data',
+            'Expecting the second input layer of an priorbox layer to be '
+            'a data layer')
+        config_assert(input_layer.width > 0, 'The data layer must set width')
+        config_assert(input_layer.height > 0, 'The data layer must set height')
         self.config.inputs[0].priorbox_conf.min_size.extend(min_size)
         self.config.inputs[0].priorbox_conf.max_size.extend(max_size)
         self.config.inputs[0].priorbox_conf.aspect_ratio.extend(aspect_ratio)